Connector for electronic detonators

A detonator assembly comprising:

• a detonator comprising:
• a detonator shell including a percussion-actuation end and an opening at an end opposite said percussion-actuation end;
• a base charge adjacent the percussion-actuation end of the shell;
• and
• initiation means;
• wherein the detonator assembly further comprises an electrical connector for secure retention of a signal transmission line to the detonator and comprising:
• a body of electrically insulating material adapted to form a plug member for said opening of said detonator shell;
• at least one bridge element comprising electrically conductive material extending through said plug member and having a first end and a second end that emerge from said plug member, said at least one bridge element being in electrical contact with at least one electrical component of said detonator;
• and
• retaining means for retaining said at least one bridge element in said plug member to cause said at least one bridge element to resist slippage between said at least one bridge element and said plug member;
• said electrical connector being fixed to said detonator shell at least in part by securing said plug member to said opening, said at least one electrical component being retained with the detonator shell, said first end of said at least one bridge element emerging from said plug member and extending away from said detonator shell for electrical contact with a signal transmission line and said second end emerging from said plug member within said detonator shell and in electrical contact with at least one electrical component of the detonator;
• the initiation means being associated with said at least one electrical component for transfer of one or more initiation signals to the base charge for actuation thereof in response to the signal(s);
• and
• the first end of the bridge element being configured to maintain an electrical contact with the signal transmission line, the electrical contact being positioned external to the detonator and the plug member and configured to provide a breakage point for an electrical connection between the signal transmission line and the electrical component of the detonator in the event of an excess force applied to the signal transmission line and the connected detonator to reduce a likelihood of breaking the electrical connection between the signal transmission line and the electrical component of the detonator at a location internal to the detonator or the plug member.